We ended up with a feeding tube after all :(

[Mau's Mom]

It has been a rough couple of weeks for my handsome Maui as we have been dealing with the pancreatitis. The biggest problem really has been trying to get on top of the nausea, which has been difficult. Mau has been back and forth to the (new) vets several times. The day before yesterday, all he had eaten were a few small bites of treats, but when the vet looked at him she felt like he might still be OK on his own with some additional medication (adding daily cerenia to the oral meds he was already getting.) At that point he was drinking fine (and using the litter box normally.) But he ate nothing at all yesterday or today so we went back to the vet and they recommended a feeding tube. :sad: :sad: It was placed at about 4pm and we picked him up shortly before 6.

We got him home and attempted to use the tube for the first time and were not very successful. I thought I had been really careful to make sure the food (AD plus kitten milk) was really thin, but after a few ml, the tube backed up. Long story short, we had to go to the emergency clinic and have them clear the tube. It turns out that the way it is placed makes it kink or something when he holds his head normally. You have to tip his chin up to get the liquid to flow down the tube properly. While I was glad that the tube wasn't clogged this does add an extra degree of difficulty to the exercise :YMSIGH: With the help of the very nice tech, we were able to get a feeding plus his evening medications down the tube finally and we came home to rest for a bit before we have the next round, which will be in an hour or so.

I am so tired, not sure how I am going to manage to do that feeding every 2-3 hours for the next week but my handsome boy has been so brave, I will find a way. Would certainly appreciate any tips or tricks for dealing with these tubes that anyone has to offer.

 

[Dyana]

J.D. had a feeding tube once and I had this bigger than my hand and my hands are big for a girl syringe to squeeze. I got the food all over everything, but mostly in the cat. Luckily for us, J.D. did not need it long.
I wish you luck. I am suggesting that you also join this group Feline Assisted Feeding because I bet they will be able to help you with the tube feeding, too. I have heard that they are a very caring a good group and highly recommended.

Sleep when you can. Lots of wet paper towels. Post here for or the other group for support. Take care of yourself, too. Focus on the positives. Those are my bits of advice.

:YMHUG:

 

[Mau's Mom]

Thank you, Dyana, that is very kind. I will check out the group you recommended and hope that I get a little sleep here and there!

 

[Rachel]

I know this has got to be hard for you. Not much info, but this pageof Dr. Pierson's page might give you some comfort: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=feedingtubes

I didn't ever use a feeding tube, but I know you can handle this. We do what we have to do. Don't give up! You've got this!

 

[Dyana]

Yeah, I agree with Rachel. You can do this, girl.

 

[Mau's Mom]

I know this has got to be hard for you. Not much info, but this pageof Dr. Pierson's page might give you some comfort: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=feedingtubes

I didn't ever use a feeding tube, but I know you can handle this. We do what we have to do. Don't give up! You've got this!

I sure wish I had your confidence. It is going on a couple of weeks now and I am honestly exhausted from what we've done so far - never mind feeding every 2 or 3 hours. I guess on the bright side of things, I do work from home a lot so at least I am here to do it this week. Next week I have to travel again but I will cross that bridge when I get there. Probably he will need to go back to the vet for a few days.

I have 15 minutes before we have to do another feeding and honestly I am dreading it. It seems so difficult. But maybe it will go better this time. Please think good thoughts for us, and thank you for the encouragement.

 

[JenM]

When Tink came home initially, it was with a feeding tube. It broke my heart to have this thing sticking out of him... but it was the only way to get food in him. I found the tube pretty easy as long as I mixed the a/d well enough (I was just using water, but kitten milk is probably better). You dont want ANY lumps. I was using a 30cc syringe, so the most difficult part was having to refill the syringe while not having him take off on me and dripping food out the tube. Tube feeding was WAY easier than syringe feeding (which I got to do for a couple days after he managed to pull the tube out) - of course the poor placement of the tube (kink) isn't going to make it any easier. Hang in there.... you'll get it figured out.